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The Stand

First came the days of the plague. Then came the dreams. Dark dreams that warned of the coming of the dark man. The apostate of death, his worn-down boot heels tramping the night roads. The warlord of the charnel house and Prince of Evil. His time is at hand. His empire grows in the west and the Apocalypse looms. For hundreds of thousands of fans who read The Stand in its original version and wanted more, this new edition is Stephen King's gift.

It

To the children, the town was their whole world. To the adults, knowing better, Derry, Maine, was just their hometown: familiar, well ordered for the most part. A good place to live. It was the children who saw - and felt - what made Derry so horribly different. In the storm drains, in the sewers, IT lurked, taking on the shape of every nightmare, each one's deepest dread. Sometimes IT reached up, seizing, tearing, killing....

The Eyes of the Dragon

Everyone in the kingdom talked about the King-in-waiting, Roland's elder son, Peter. And one man thought and planned and brooded on something else: how to make sure that Roland's younger son, Thomas, should be crowned King instead. The King is dead, murdered by an unusual poison. While evidence is gathered, and the land of Delain mourns, Flagg the King's magician, unscrupulous, greedy and powerful, plots.

Under the Dome

In Stephen King's mesmerizing new masterpiece - his biggest, most riveting novel since The Stand - a Maine town and its inhabitants are isolated from the world by an invisible, impenetrable dome. Celebrated storyteller Stephen King returns to his roots in this tour de force featuring more than 100 characters - some heroic, some diabolical - and a supernatural element as baffling and chilling as any he's ever conjured.

Needful Things

There was a new shop in town. Run by a stranger. Needful Things, the sign said. The oddest name. A name that caused some gossip and speculation among the good folks of Castle Rock, Maine, while they waited for opening day. Eleven-year-old Brian Rusk was the first customer and he got just what he wanted, a very rare 1956 Sandy Koufax baseball card. Signed. Cyndi Rose Martin was next. A Lalique vase. A perfect match for her living room decor. Something for everyone.

Cujo

Once upon a time, not so long ago, a monster came to the small town of Castle Rock, Maine.... He was not a werewolf, a vampire, a ghoul, or an unnameable creature from the enchanted forest or snow wastes; he was only a cop.... Cujo is a huge Saint Bernard dog, the best friend Brett Camber has ever had. Then one day Cujo chases a rabbit into a bolt-hole. Except it isn't a rabbit warren anymore. It is a cave inhabited by rabid bats. And Cujo falls sick. Very sick.

The Green Mile

At Cold Mountain Penitentiary, along the lonely stretch of cells known as the Green Mile, killers such as "Billy the Kid" Wharton and the possessed Eduard Delacroix await death strapped in "Old Sparky". Guards as decent as Paul Edgecombe and as sadistic as Percy Wetmore watch over them.

The Shining

Danny is only five years old, but in the words of old Mr Hallorann he is a 'shiner', aglow with psychic voltage. When his father becomes caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, Danny's visions grow out of control. As winter closes in and blizzards cut them off, the hotel seems to develop a life of its own. It is meant to be empty. So who is the lady in Room 217, and who are the masked guests going up and down in the elevator? And why do the hedges shaped like animals seem so alive?

Doctor Sleep

Stephen King says he wanted to know what happened to Danny Torrance, the boy at the heart of The Shining, after his terrible experience in the Overlook Hotel. The instantly riveting Doctor Sleep picks up the story of the now middle-aged Dan, working at a hospice in rural New Hampshire, and the very special 12-year old girl he must save from a tribe of murderous paranormals.

Thinner

The name on the covers was Bachman. But the imagination could only belong to one man: Stephen King. 'Thinner' - the old gypsy man barely whispers the word. Billy feels the touch of a withered hand on his cheek. Billy Halleck, prosperous if overweight citizen, happily married, shuddered then turned angrily away. The old woman's death had been none of his fault. The courts had cleared him. She'd just stumbled in front of his car.

Insomnia

You'll lose a lot of sleep.... Ralph does. At first he starts waking up earlier. And earlier. Then the hallucinations start - the colours, shapes and strange auras. Not to mention the bald doctors who always turn up at the scene of a death. That's when Ralph begins to lose a lot more than sleep. When he begins to understand why his hitherto mild-mannered friend, Ed, is getting out of control - dangerously so. And why his hometown is about to become the new Armageddon....

Desperation

Welcome to Desperation. Once a thriving copper-mining town in the middle of the Nevada desert, Desperation is now eerily abandoned. It's the last place that travellers like the Carver family, bound for vacation, and writer Johnny Marinville, astride his Harley, would expect to be stopped and charged. But Desperation still has a local cop - a unique regulator who patrols the wilderness highway. The secrets buried in Desperation are as terrifying as the forces summoned to encounter them.

11.22.63

What if you could go back in time and change the course of history?11.22.63, the date that Kennedy was shot - unless.... King takes his protagonist Jake Epping, a high school English teacher from Lisbon Falls, Maine, 2011, on a fascinating journey back to 1958 - from a world of mobile phones and iPods to a new world of Elvis and JFK, of Plymouth Fury cars and Lindy Hopping, of a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and a beautiful high school librarian named Sadie Dunhill who becomes the love of Jake's life.

The Running Man

Every night they tuned in to the nation's favourite prime-time TV game show. They all watched, from the sprawling slums to the security-obsessed enclaves of the rich. They all watched the ultimate live death game as the contestants tried to beat not the clock but annihilation at the hands of the Hunters. Survive 30 days, and win the billion dollar jackpot - that was the promise. But the odds were brutal and the game rigged.

Gerald's Game

A game. A husband and wife game. Gerald's Game. But this time Jesse didn't want to play. Lying there, spread-eagled and handcuffed to the bedstead while he'd loomed and drooled over her, she'd felt angry and humiliated. So she'd kicked out hard. Aimed to hit him where it hurt. He wasn't meant to die, leaving Jesse alone and helpless in a lakeside holiday cabin. Miles from anywhere. No one to hear her screams.

Salem's Lot

A superb novel set in classic Stephen King territory - a small new England town about to be engulfed by terror. Turn off the television - in fact, why don't you turn off all the lights except for the one over your favourite chair? - and we'll talk about vampires here in the dim. I think I can make you believe in them. Stephen King, from the introduction. Salem's Lot is a small New England town with the usual quota of gossips, drinkers, weirdos and respectable folk.

Dreamcatcher

Suspenseful, frightening, and sometimes howlingly funny, a story of invasion and battle, survival and heroism. It is a story of how men remember ... and how they love. In Derry, Maine, four young boys once stood together and did a brave thing. Something that changed them in ways they hardly understand. A quarter of a century later, the boys are men who have gone their separate ways. Though they still get together once a year, to go hunting in the north woods of Maine.

The Long Walk

In the near future, where America has become a police state, 100 boys are selected to enter an annual contest where the winner will be awarded whatever he wants for the rest of his life. The game is simple - maintain a steady walking pace of four miles per hour without stopping. Three warnings and you're out - permanently.

Misery

Misery Chastain was dead. Paul Sheldon had just killed her - with relief, with joy. Misery had made him rich; she was the heroine of a string of best sellers. And now he wanted to get on to some real writing. That's when the car accident happened, and he woke up in pain in a strange bed. But it wasn't the hospital. Annie Wilkes had pulled him from the wreck, brought him to her remote mountain home, splinted and set his mangled legs. The good news was that Annie was a nurse and had painkilling drugs. The bad news was that she was Paul's Number One Fan.

American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition (A Full Cast Production)

After three years in prison, Shadow has done his time. But two days before he gets out, his wife Laura dies in a mysterious car crash, in apparently adulterous circumstances. Dazed, Shadow travels home, only to encounter the bizarre Mr. Wednesday, claiming to be a refugee from a distant war, a former god, and the king of America. Together they embark on a very strange journey across the States, along the way solving the murders which have occurred every winter in one small American town.

Christine

Christine was eating into his mind, burrowing into his unconscious. Christine, blood red, fat, and finned, was 20. Her promise lay all in her past. Greedy and big, she was Arnie's obsession, a '58 Plymouth Fury. Broken down but not finished. There was still power in her - a frightening power that leaked like sump oil, staining and corrupting. A malign power that corroded the mind and turned ownership into possession.

The Tommyknockers

Everything is familiar. But everything has changed. Coming back to the little community is like walking into a nightmare for Jim Gardener, poet, drunk, potential suicide. It all looks the same: the house; the furniture; Jim's friend, Bobbi; her beagle (though ageing); even the woods out at the back. But it was in the woods that Bobbi stumbled over the odd, part-buried object and felt a peculiar tingle as she brushed the soft earth away. Everything is familiar. But everything is about to change.

Night Shift

A collection of tales to invade and paralyse the mind as the safe light of day is infiltrated by the shadows of the night. As you listen, the clutching fingers of terror brush lightly across the nape of the neck, reach round from behind to clutch and lock themselves, white-knuckled, around the throat.This is the horror of ordinary people and everyday objects that become strangely altered; a world where nothing is ever quite what it seems, where the familiar and the friendly lure and deceive.

Publisher's Summary

Stephen King's epic fantasy series, The Dark Tower, is being made into a major movie starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey. Due in cinemas February 17, 2017 USA.

In this first novel in his epic fantasy masterpiece, Stephen King introduces listeners to one of his most enigmatic heroes, Roland of Gilead, the Last Gunslinger. He is a haunting figure, a loner, on a spellbinding journey into good and evil, in a desolate world which frighteningly echoes our own.

In his first step towards the powerful and mysterious Dark Tower, Roland encounters an alluring woman named Alice, begins a friendship with Jake, a kid from New York, and faces an agonising choice between damnation and salvation as he pursues the Man in Black.

Both grippingly realistic and eerily dreamlike, The Gunslinger leaves listeners eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

I loved this audiobook. The Dark Tower novels are my favourite of Stephen King's work. This, the first book in the series, is an understated beginning to Roland's journey toward the Dark Tower, his pursuit of the man in black intercut with tales of his childhood and how he became a Gunslinger. The narrator's pacing and earthy voice really bring the story to life, and I'm already on to the second audiobook in the series. Highly recommended.

Such a hard book to describe, it is I believe a book you can come back to at the end of the series and on re reading it make a lot more sense of what is going on. That does not detract from it being a great read first time around without any prior knowledge, which is where I am at the moment. in my teens I read a bit of Stephen King and really I remember none of his previous books I have tried being anything like this. I found with previous Stephen King books that there tends to be more of a linear plot that you can predict to some degree, that is not the case at all here. I have no idea where this plot is going, but I cannot wait to find out.

So, this book is OK, nothing special... but the series is really good and so this is essential reading to start you on the journey to The Dark Tower.

My advice is to read this book and then dive straight into book 2. If you're not hooked by the end of book 2 then don't bother reading any further but it gets better and better as it goes along. This is a slow burner and it really starts to grow on you as you progress through the series.

I seem to be at odds with some and in agreement with others. I found this the hardest Stephen King (audio) book to like. Normally I find everything by Stephen King absolutely gripping - but this felt like it was the beginning of a long and somewhat abstract journey (so far so SK in many respects) but without the somehow gripping narrative he usually demonstrates.

As it went on I found it more appealing - and by book 2 I was hooked and it was back to business as usual. So - do listen, do persevere (you might find it easier than I did) and before you know it you're right back in Mr. King's amazing worlds. Science fiction, fantasy, magic, unpleasantness more than horror (so far...) All good.

Difficult at first, but then riveting to the end. Not sure where I going to start with what with the changing scenarios Wild West, Modern New York Medieval England but starts to fall in place quite ingeniously as the story develops. Can hardly wait to see how the saga develops. Oh and kudos to the narrator Mr George Guidall for keeping the intensity flowing with his wonderful tones. Big thumbs up.

Stephen king manages to take you on a journey of pure, unbridled fun from start to finish. The gunslinger is a tuff but lovable man. As for the world building, King smoothly places the image of a worndown, dust world in which you feel the true sting of every step the gunslinger has to take along his journey. The ending of the book is what makes this read for me. A true thinking man's adventure novel.

One last thing about the narrator; he is spot on the entire time and never fails to deliver on a single line, I hope that he narrates the over books in this series as I will be getting the next one ASAP.

Have you ever wanted so badly to be part of a hype, just to discover that while others are going crazy about it, you are left out in the cold? The first book of the Dark Tower series makes me feel that way. I really want to be in on the joke, but I just can???t find the punch line.

???The Gunslinger??? is a story containing a mix western, fantasy, horror, blood and gore, fantasy and just plain weirdness. Roland of Gilead, the main character, is a sort of serious Cowboy Don Quixote on an obsessive quest, to catch the mysterious, possibly demonic, ???Man in Black.??? The story is set in a universe akin to ours with references very similar to ours, like ???the man Jesus??? and certain holy days. Yet it soon becomes clear that the story is not set in our world or in a typical wild western environment.

At times it feels that the story cries against all logic. I found Roland to be someone quite difficult to identify with. The way he kills of the whole town of Tull, even his sex partner, Allie, as well as the awkward ???relationship??? that he had with a nine year old boy called Jake are bizarre. Do I understand Stephen King correctly; Roland???s love for the boy was more than just parental love? It is disturbing, to say the least.

At the end of the book you do have an idea what a gunslinger is. You will have realised that Roland is the last gunslinger and that his obsession with catching the ???Man in Black??? against all costs, actually points the ethereal Dark Tower. The listener is left with more questions than after the book, than before.

George Guidall???s interpretative reading was fair. I am not sure if it is Stephen King or Guidall???s way of reading that made me feel detached from the story. I found that I had to re-listen certain parts of the recording to try to understand the story, yet for most of the time I followed Guidall???s reading easily.

Taking into account that this is the first book in ???The Dark Tower??? series, I shall also listen to the second book hoping I will discover the punch line and become part of the hype. But so far, I have mixed feelings about the book. I have learned that you could find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow if you persevere. This I hope is true in the case of ???The Dark Tower??? series.

I am not sure who the proposed readership of the book is, which also makes it difficult to evaluate the content. I suspect that Stephen King has set the table sufficiently for more to come. It is with hesitation that I laud the book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Garry

Cannington, Australia

21/04/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"A Stephen King saga"

Would you listen to The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger again? Why?

No, not again.

Any additional comments?

I got into this as it was written by Stephen King, I found this hard to get into but will continue for the whole series for if anything, Stephen King will draw you in eventually, twist and turn you and spit you out with you knowing you have been through something. I have a high hope for the other books

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Bryan

New Zealand

24/09/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great start for a great tale"

What did you like best about this story?

The development of the character of Roland, from a mysterious unknown character into a man with a dark past, and a dark long journey to travel.

What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Gravelly voice, just what you'd imagine a gunslinger to sound like.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Wild west meets the end of the world

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Luke Venables

United States

29/03/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Surprised that I didn't like it"

I was surprised to find I didn't enjoy this book. I found it boring and had difficulty paying attention. I've not read much Stephen King but I was eager to get into a popular story of his.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Zoori

17/02/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great beginning of the fantasy saga"

What did you love best about The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger?

This is where the journey of Roland of Gilead, the last gunslinger, starts. The reader follows the gunslinger in his chase of the man in black and the mysterious Tower in a dreamy, deserted world that 'has moved on'. This world resembles the Western movies but at the same time it is different, somewhat magical, and much darker. I really enjoy King’s storytelling, his attention to detail, and strong character development. Roland is a solitary character and also a survivor. Roland is not a very likeable character, as he seems quite cold, and distant to others. He is able to make sacrifices without blinking an eye, if that is required for his purpose. The audio version is great, even though I prefer Frank Muller's version (currently out of print). I'd recommend this book is for all who enjoy a good and original dark fantasy story, and for those who want to read an different story by the Master of Horror.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Mindaugas

05/02/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"nice"

great book. liked it much. king is really a master of his craft :) also extra words for 20 word quota.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Megan

01/01/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Another king journey book"

I was surprised how good the Gunslinger story was. This initial book of the series sets up the story of The Dark Tower and it's significance for Roland our hero. As with other King novels the battle of good against evil emerges with a blurring of boundaries. The reader is able to recognise that not all good is "good". Positioned thus the reader then can choose to continue Roland's journey. I think I will continue with Roland and see what becomes of him.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Sivitrii

Zillmere, Australia

01/09/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"The first step is the hardest"

While this is a very involved, rewarding saga overall, this first book can be very difficult to get into. Based in a world not quite like our own, but with confusing tidbits which make it seem like the future, or perhaps the past, or perhaps an alternate dimension??? This book raises a great deal of questions and provides virtually no answers so unless you can stick with it for the entire 7 novels of the Dark Tower saga it won't seem worthwhile.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Trausti

Reykjavik, Iceland

12/06/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"For a 1st part in a series, this was underwhelming"

But having read The Stand I'm going to give the rest a go.

I have every faith in S. King as a master storyteller so I'm guessing this will pay off in the future. The story isn't all bad of course. In fact it's pretty good. Just not something you'll remember next week. If at all.

But do not fret. There are 6 more. And if the reviews are anything to go by, this should get very interesting.

A note on the performance.I doubt anyone could fit the story better than this narrator. I felt continually reminded of Johnny Cash singing the song, The Man Comes Around.

I've seldom found a narrator and a story fit so well toghether.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Liz

Ocean Grove, Australia

24/05/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Stick With It - Believe in Stephen King"

I found the main character so dark and melancholy that I wondered how I could possibly read a series of seven books with him as the lead. The story was dismal with nothing more than trial and tribulation. I reserved my opinion of this first in the series until I had read the second book which I had purchased at the same time.

The reason for my perseverance was my faith in the immense talent of Stephen King. If he calls this is magnum opus then I trust him to bring his usual storytelling brilliance to the fore. I am so glad I continued on the journey because things changed dramatically shortly after starting the second book and now the first book is making more sense.

I recommend that if you find this first book an ordeal because of its misery and darkness stick with it - it will be worth it. Trust Stephen King to give you a experience to remember.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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